Speech News and Research

RSS

Chairman's speech at consultants conference 2004

Put patients first. That's what Mr Reid says. That's fine. Consultants do this every day. We don't need a politician to say it, like it's something we never thought of. When a consultant is working 50 hours a week despite only being paid for 35, that is putting the patient first. When a consultant is operating on an emergency patient in the middle of the night, that is putting the patient first.

12 Jun 2004

The Population Health Complex to improve the health of all New Zealanders

Research teams dedicated to improving the health of all New Zealanders now have a new home at The University of Auckland’s Population Health Complex. The new purpose-built complex is located at the University’s Tamaki Campus, which is distinguished by its collaborative, inter-disciplinary, and research-intensive profile.

11 Jun 2004

Patients play computer games using only the signals from their brains

For the first time in humans, a team headed by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis has placed an electronic grid atop patients' brains to gather motor signals that enable patients to play a computer game using only the signals from their brains.

10 Jun 2004

Untreated transient ischemic attacks put 21,000 Canadians at increased risk of death, stroke or heart attack

The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation warns that untreated transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are putting nearly 21,000 Canadians at increased risk of death, stroke or heart attack.

9 Jun 2004

Australian Government's new mechanism for implementing the new Medicare allied health initiative

The Australian Government has announced that a mechanism for implementing the new Medicare allied health initiative from 1 July 2004 has been finalised following consultations with GP and allied health professional groups.

7 Jun 2004

Researchers dedicated to improving the health of all New Zealanders now have a new home

Research teams dedicated to improving the health of all New Zealanders now have a new home at The University of Auckland’s Population Health Complex.

25 May 2004

UK Research and teaching in medical schools under threat

The way medical research is funded has led to an exodus of academic staff from medical schools, the chairman of the BMA's Medical Academic Committee said today (Tuesday 25 May).

25 May 2004

The British Home Secretary has called on police to renew efforts to tackle drug abuse

He urged police chiefs to redouble their efforts and make sure that new measures and resources are being used. Tools to help the police do their job include the Criminal Justice Interventions Programme which targets offenders who commit crimes to fund their drug habit. It is receiving £447m funding over three years.

11 May 2004

Telecare and telemedicine services seen as solution for long-term care of elderly or vulnerable people

Telecare and telemedicine services are increasingly being seen as a potential solution to one of society’s most pressing healthcare issues, that of long-term care of elderly or vulnerable people. BT’s broadband telecare proposition is simple and compelling

11 May 2004

BMA warns future doctors face training chaos

Under the government's 'Modernising Medical Careers' plans, from August 2005 the first two years of junior doctors' training are to be replaced with a 'foundation programme'. However, there is currently very little information about the content of the second year of the programmes, or how doctors' skills will be assessed.

8 May 2004

NHS Trusts must avoid complacency

Health Secretary John Reid today warned NHS Trusts not to be complacent about the approaching August 1 deadline for the working time directive. At a conference in Birmingham he urged all NHS Trusts to firm up the proposals they have been working on for the last two years as to how they would deliver ahead of the deadline.

5 May 2004

Substance use disorders don’t discriminate by age

Substance use disorders don’t discriminate. In fact, anyone can have a problem with prescription medication, alcohol, or illicit drugs—including adults aged 55 and older.

3 May 2004

New practice guidelines for treating fluid in the ears

Most toddlers and preschoolers will be diagnosed with fluid in their middle ears--or otitis media with effusion (OME)--at some time before school age.

3 May 2004

A test that examines facial weakness, arm weakness and speech disturbance allows paramedics to quickly and accurately identify stroke

A test that examines facial weakness, arm weakness and speech disturbance allows paramedics to quickly and accurately identify stroke, researchers report in today’s rapid access issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

30 Apr 2004

Children's Surgery International to help peruvian children with facial deformities

Approximately 100 Arequipa, Peru area children with facial deformities will be eligible to have those deformities surgically repaired free of charge by an elite medical team of American doctors and nurses who will be in Peru from May 5th to May 14th, 2004.

30 Apr 2004

Scientists have discovered a genetic cause of cleft lip and palate in mice

By watching mice “dance” and comparing the DNA of the dancers to their flat-footed siblings, scientists have discovered a genetic cause of cleft lip and palate in mice, a finding that is already being used to search for a similar genetic defect in humans.

29 Apr 2004

Researchers to create tool for diagnosing children with apraxia of speech

A new National Institutes of Health grant will enable Oregon Health & Science University researchers to create a tool for diagnosing children with apraxia of speech -- a neurologically based speech motor disorder.

27 Apr 2004

A high rate of marriage among deaf individuals can explain the increased frequency of connexin deafness in the United States

A high rate of marriage among deaf individuals can explain the increased frequency of connexin deafness in the United States and may have led to a doubling of its occurrence during the past 200 years, according to a study by hereditary deafness experts at Virginia Commonwealth University.

27 Apr 2004

John Reid emphasises importance of diversity in the NHS

Health Secretary John Reid has today reinforced the importance of cultural diversity in the NHS but also emphasised the need for tougher rules to ensure that people do not abuse NHS services.

26 Apr 2004

New use of Botox helps voice disorders

An injection that’s best known for smoothing wrinkles also helps restore the voices — and the confidence — of people with a voice disorder caused by spasms in their vocal cord muscles, a new University of Michigan study finds.

24 Apr 2004